Vava'u Ocean Initiative

Ambassadors and community are leading the way in managing marine impacts.

Learn more about their efforts and the challenges they face!

👤 Meet a Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellow, Faka’anaua Lakai! Faka’anaua is a skilled pearl farmer and tour guide, expanding her existing pearl farm in Vavaʻu, Tonga.

🦪Under the Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellowship, this project will integrate livelihood development with environmental stewardship by creating and deploying pearl farming structures that double as artificial reefs, enhancing biodiversity as well as naturally filtering the water, improving its quality and reducing sedimentation. Faka’anaua will also engage local communities and visitors through guided tours, offering an educational journey into the pearl farming process.

📣This month, we are highlighting the six incredible entrepreneurs taking part in the Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellowship. This partnership between Vava’u Ocean Initiative and Sustainable Ocean Alliance will support projects that will benefit local economies and contribute to a healthy and sustainable future for Tonga.

Ministry of Fisheries - Tonga Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) Waitt Institute

👤Meet one of our Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellows, Sione Manupuna Ika! Sione, based in Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga, is advancing the conservation of the Makave special management area (SMA) by integrating eco-tourism into its community management.

🤿The Blue Prosperity Entrepreneurship Fellowship will support Sione with developing tour guidelines, pricing strategies, and marketing tools to attract visitors. Over the fellowship period, activities will include training in tour guiding and safety, as well as hosting open days for schools and youth to engage with marine conservation.

📣This month, we are highlighting the six incredible entrepreneurs taking part in the Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellowship. This partnership between Vava’u Ocean Initiative and Sustainable Ocean Alliance will support projects that will benefit local economies and contribute to a healthy and sustainable future for Tonga.

Ministry of Fisheries - Tonga Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) Waitt Institute

👤 Meet one of our Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellows! Lolofi Aleamotua is a seasoned environmental project leader and owner of Coastal Green Nursery in Kolomotua, who is launching a mangrove restoration initiative to address the widespread loss of mangroves in Tonga largely caused by unsustainable development.

🌳 This grant will support the initiative to plant 10,000 mangrove propagules with a focus on site identification, restoration planning, and stakeholder engagement.

📣This month, we are highlighting the six incredible entrepreneurs taking part in the Blue Prosperity Entrepreneur Fellowship. This partnership between Vava’u Ocean Initiative and Sustainable Ocean Alliance will support projects that will benefit local economies and contribute to a healthy and sustainable future for Tonga.

Ministry of Fisheries - Tonga Vava'u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) Waitt Institute

Holeva community are working hard to reduce the impacts of run off to their community managed fishery. Supported by Vepa Vava'u and Peace Corps volunteers, the community planted over 50 plants to help stabilize and secure soil areas. The community are also engaging in creating a habitat rock wall that will help reduce erosion from waves and high tide. By reducing land based issues communities can help safeguard and protect the marine habitats. Great work by everyone #🇹🇴